BIBDS SYLVICOLIDAE — HELMITHEEUS. 



251 



Section Vermivoreae. 



Bill entirely without notch, and with no rictal bristles. Legs variable. 



The following genera compose this section : 



HELraiHERUs. — Bill stout, only moderately acute, nearly as long as tiie head, and on a line 

 with the forehead. Middle toe as long as the short tarsus. Colors plain ; no white on the tail. 



Helminthophaga. — Bill slender, excessively acute, shorter than the head. Tarsus considerably 

 longer than the middle toe. Tail feathers sometimes with a white patch. 



Comparative measurements of species. 



HKLMITHERUS, Raf. 



Helmilherus, Rafinesque, Journal de Physique, LXXXVIIT, 1819, 417. Type Motacilla vermivora. 

 Vermimra, Swainson, Zool. Jour. IV, 18^7, 170, (not of Meter, 1822.) 

 Helinaia, Aud. Synopsis, 1839, 66. Type Sylvia swainsoni, Aud. 

 Ch. — Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanagrine ; nearly or quite as long as the head. Culmenvery slightly 



curved ; gonys straight ; no notch in the bill ; rictal bristles wanting. Tarsi short, but little longer, if any, than the middle 

 toe. Tail considerably shorter than the wings ; rather rounded. Wings raiher long, the first quill a little shorter than the 

 second and third. 



The birds of this division are very plain in their colors, more so than any other American 

 warblers. There are but two species rcferrible to the genus, of which the S. sivainsoni differs from 

 the type in having a considerably longer and more compressed bill, the ridge of which is com- 

 pressed, elevated, and appears to extend backwards on the forehead, as well as to be in a straight 

 line with the upper part of the head. The wings are longer ; the tail forked, not rounded ; the 

 feathers narrower and more pointed ; the tarsi shorter than in the type. It is quite possible that 

 systematic writers may hereafter find it necessary to erect this form into a distinct genus or 

 subgenus to be called Helinaia. 



Synopsis of the species. 



Colors plain. Above olivaceous, beneath nearly white. No spots or bands on wing or tail. 



Above olive green. Head yellowish, with two black stripes above and one behind the 

 eye. Tail rounded H. vermivorua. 



Above dull olive green, tinged with brown. Stripes on the head somewhat as in the last, 

 but reddish brown ; the median light stripe ou the crown scarcely visible. Tail 

 slightly forked H. awcdnaoni. 



